American English dialects are very rich.

My Oklahoma forebears used a number of expressions that are sort of “black.” A’hm fixin’ ta fix dinner. “Liable,” came out lobble. You’re lobble to git in trouble.” Directly” pronounced d’recly and meaning immediately or soon. Ah’ll be there d-recly.

I had a terrible time learning how to spell in school because of such pronunciations.

My maternal grandmother used the expression, “Different ones say,” to mean she had heard some gossip. My Aunt Caroline’s favorite exclamation was, “Well, ah’ll swan.” I have no idea where that came from.

Mother used to say, “It’s a loblolly out there,” meaning it’s a muddy mess.” Turns out, that is an acceptable expression and I have taken to using it myself.

I would love to read a book on the history of some African-American pronunciations and phraseology. Fascinating. And neither right or wrong. Ask. Himself. I think they are based on what they heard their slave owners say. “My mama she come home late.” He hurt hisself. “Gwine-uh” for going to.

It’s interesting to me that I can often tell the color of a customer service rep’s skin when we’re talking on the phone. Does that make me racist?